Creative Europe: State of Play

January 28, 2019, 10:56 am

Creative Europe is the sole programme with funding dedicated to culture, while also comprising media and cross-sectoral strands. The next cycle of the programme will be 2021-2027, for which the Commission published its proposal at the end of May 2018. The European Parliament and Council of the EU have since been working on their individual positions for inter-institutional negotiations (trilogues).

What will be the new Creative Europe budget?

The Commission has proposed an allocation of € 1 642 million for Creative Europe 2021-2027, up from € 1 403 million for the last programme, 2014-2020. The Parliament has proposed € 2 806 million (all in 2018 prices). Responsibility for deciding the overall budget for the programme, however, lies with the heads of Member States. At the last EU Summit, they stated that they would reach an agreement on this only in autumn 2019.

Funding for Creative Europe will rely heavily on the position that Member States take on the overall EU budget 2021-2027. The Commission has proposed an increase in the overall budget to 1.14% of GNI to be paid by the Member States while the Parliament calls for 1.3%. The Commission has called the Parliament’s figure “too ambitious”, while some Member States find the Commission’s lower figure a bit too ambitious.

What is happening in the Council of the EU?

After discussing Creative Europe in the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting on 27 November, EU Culture Ministers narrowly missed reaching a partial general approach on the programme. However, before closing their term, the Austrian Presidency reached an agreement on outstanding issues and thus succeeded in confirming the Council’s Partial General Approach before the end of 2019. This will form the basis of the Council’s negotiating position in trilogues with the European Parliament and the Commission before a final decision is made on the future programme.

The Council position includes strengthening of mobility actions, the reintroduction of audience development as a priority, a focus on non-market and market-oriented organisations as advocated by Culture Action Europe as well as a 33% share for Culture up from 31% in alignment with the European Parliament’s current draft proposal.

What is happening in the European Parliament?

In the European Parliament, the report of Silvia Costa was passed unanimously on 20 February.

In the Culture Committee meeting of 22 January, concerns were expressed about the ability to negotiate in trilogues without knowing in advance the budget for the programme, as this would have an impact on what initiatives may be undertaken as part of it. This would result in trilogues not beginning until after the decision of the European Council in autumn 2019, well into the mandate of the next European Parliament.

What can I do about it?

Write to your Culture, Finance and Foreign Affairs Ministers with CAE template letters to call on them to ensure double for culture within the next Creative Europe programme.

With the elections taking place on 23-26 May 2019 at this pivotal moment for Europe and for culture in Europe, it is more important than ever to call on MEP candidates to recognise culture’s contribution to Europe as a necessary force for unity, equality and inclusive cooperation. Join us in our campaign!

 

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